Machine for compressing and flattening junked automobiles

ABSTRACT

A machine for flattening junked automobiles includes a relatively lightweight but rigid horizontally extending rectangular flattening head mounted for up and down movement over a rigid, comparatively lightweight horizontal flattening bed, with such movement being effected by hydraulic rams mounted at the corners of the generally rectangular flattening head. The head may be lifted enough to accommodate, between the head and the bed, one or more flattened automobiles plus one automobile to be flattened, so that a plurality of automobiles may be flattened between unloadings. The flattening mechanism is mounted on a highway trailer, and vertically disposed hydraulic rams force the head downwardly on their retracting stroke so that the height of the rams, and consequently the height of the overall unit, will be at a minimum, within Federal and State maximum highway transport height limitations, when the head is in its downmost position. In one form of the invention, the hydraulic cylinder bodies are attached to the flattening head and the remote ends of the piston rods are secured to the vehicle. In a modified form, the hydraulic cylinders are fastened to the vehicle and the remote ends of the piston rods are secured to the flattening head.

United States Patent [1 1 Williams 1 Sept. 11, 1973 MACHINE FORCOMPRESSING AND FLATTENING JUNKED AUTOMOBILES [76] inventor: JeromeWilliams, 823 W. 17th St.,

National City, Calif.

22 Filed: June 28,1971

21 Appl. No.: 157,353

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,517,608. I 6/1970 Tezuka'100/100 327,297 9/1885 McGovern 100/214 UX 2,343,167 2/1944 Bench100/258 A 3,266,413 8/1966 Sharp et al... 100/53 3,404,622 10/1968Flanagan... 100/100 3,273,493 9/1966 Smiltneek 100/269 X PrimaryExaminer-Billy J. Wilhite Attorney-Schapp & Hatch 5 7 ABSTRACT A machinefor flattening junked automobiles includes a relatively lightweight butrigid horizontally extending rectangular flattening head mounted for upand down movement over a rigid, comparatively lightweight horizontalflattening bed, with such movement being effected by hydraulic ramsmounted at the corners of the generally rectangular flattening head. Thehead may be lifted enough to accommodate, between the head and the bed,one or more flattened automobiles plus one automobile to be flattened,so that a plurality of automobiles may be flattened between unloadings.The flattening mechanism is mounted on a highway trailer, and verticallydisposed hydraulic rams force the head downwardly on their retractingstroke so that the height of the rams, and consequently the height ofthe overall unit, will be at a minimum, within Federal and State maximumhighway transport height limitations, when the head is in its downmostposition. In one form of the invention, the hydraulic cylinder bodiesare attached to the flattening head and the remote ends of the pistonrods are secured to the vehicle. In a modified form, the hydrauliccylinders are fastened to the vehicle and the remote ends of the pistonrods are secured to the flattening head.

18 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures Patented Sept. 11, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. JEKZJME WILL/AIMS BY 5 Z a ATTOkA/EVS .TE IT. T:

MM HA1 FIE- Patented Sept. 11, 1973 7 3,757,680

6 Sheets5heet 5 1%; FIE.- 58 65 BY JEROME W/LL/AMS 1 15- 35- Sa/WMATTORNE V5 Patented Sept. 11, 1973 3,757,680

6 Sheets-Sheet 4 mu LJLJ w ATTOKNEl/S Patented Sept. 11, 1973 3,757,680

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR JEKOMZ WILL/AW 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 $5 EE 1 g we$1-- m-m mm S 5 q @325 Me Q Q Et/ $5 5 mmmgsiw mwmmm BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a Machine For Compressing AndFlattening .lunked Automobiles, and more particularly to an automobileflattener adapted for transportation from place to place on the publichighways.

Retrieval of various metals from junked automobiles as scrap has becomean important factor in the metals industry. Increasing demand for thesescrap metals has increased the demand for the junk automobiles.Unfortunately, however, such automobiles often are widely scatteredaround the country and hence must be transported considerable distancesto the processing plants at which they are reduced to scrap and thevarious metals are recovered.

In recent years, the junked automobile bodies have been mashed down andflattened so they would occupy less space, would be easier to ship tothe scrap metal plants and would be easier to slice up preparatory tosorting out the different metals. The flattener apparatus, howerver, hasusually been provided in the form of permanent installations which couldnot be moved from place to place without being completely torn down andre-erected. This construction, of course, still made it necessary toship junked automobiles considerable distances to the flatteningmachine.

Attempts have been made to mount automobile flatteners on vehicles fortransport from place to place along the public highways. The resultingunits have not been satisfactory because of the difficulties encounteredin making an efficient automobile flattening machine which does notexceed height and weight limitations imposed by Federal and Statestatutes.

The priortransportable automobile flatteners utilize one or morehydraulic rams mounted vertically above the flattening head and formedto force the flattening head downwardly to squash the automobile on theextension stroke of the ram, that is, the stroke during which the pistonrod is forced out of the ram cylinder by hydraulic pressure exertedbehind the piston. In order to raise the flattening head up high enoughto permit insertion of the automobiles between the flattening head andthe flattening bed, the described hydraulic cylinders were necessarilymounted so high above the flattening head that their uppermost portionsfar exceeded allowable height limits for highway transport vehicles.

The prior art recognizes the necessity of reducing the vertical heightof the apparatus caused by the upstanding hydraulic cylinders to permithighway transport. To reduce vertical height, the prior art patentdescribes a complicated structure wherein the hydraulic cylinders mustbe dismounted and lowered so the semi-trailer can legally move along thehighway. Flatteners having dismountable or swingable cylinders requireadditional time to dismount and/or lower the cylinders each time theflattener is to be moved, and to raise and/or re mount the cylinderswhen the destination is reached. The structure making the crushingcylinders dismountable or swingable is subject to excessive wear andfailure under the tremendous stresses encountered in flatteningautomobiles, including both bodies and engines, to a maximum height ofabout one foot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The automobile flattening machine of thepresent invention is particularly adapted for highway transport fromlocation to location and requires little or no preparation or specialeffort to place it in condition for automobile flattening operation whenit arrives at a desired site. Likewise, the present automobile flattenerrequires little or no effort to place it in condition for highwaytransport when it is desired to move on to another site. The apparatusperforms the automobile flattening function rapidly and efficiently and,by reason of its almost instant readiness for highway transport, saves agood deal of the operators time as compared to conventional automobileflattening apparatus.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a machinecapable of efficient and rapid flattening of junked automobiles, withthe machine being of relatively compact size and light weight suitablefor travel on the public highways and conforming to F ederal and Stateheight and weight limitations for highway transport.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle-mountedautomobile flattening press adapted for movement from place to place,and which can be placed in its travel or flattening modes with theexpenditure of little or no time or effort.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thecharacter described which is capable of accepting and flattening aplurality of automobiles between unloadings.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus ofthe character described having a flattening head forced downwardly byhydraulic rams toward a flattening bed so as to squash a junkedautomobile therebetween, with the downward movement of the flatteninghead being accomplished by the retracting stroke of the rams so that theoverall height of the rams is at a minimum when the flattening head isin its downmost position.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter set forth which includes side aprons for confining debris tothe immediate area, with one of the side aprons being retractible topermit load ing from that side.

Other objects and features of advantage will become apparent from thefollowing specification and from the claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a machine for compressing andflattening junked automobilies made in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the planeof line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and showing the flattening head in raisedposition.

FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view on an enlarged scale of FIG. 1,showing the flattening head in down position, and with portions brokenaway to conserve space on the drawing.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the machine of FIG. 1, showing theflattening head in partially raised position, and with portions brokenaway to conserve space on the drawing.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on theplane of line 6-6 of FIG. 2, but showing the flattening head in downposition.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale,taken substantially on the plane of line 77 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1, but showing amodified form of the machine of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the planeof line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view on an enlarged scale of the machineof FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a hydraulic flow diagram illustrating the DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in detail, it will beseen that the machine for compressing and flattening junked automobiliesof the present invention includes a flattening bed structure 21 having agenerally horizontal, substantially flat upper surface 22; a flatteninghead 23 mounted for vertical movement toward and awayfrom the flatteningbed 21 and having a generally horizontal, substantially flatundersurface 24 confronting the upper surface 22; and fluid actuatedcylinder means 26 having extended and retracted terminal positions, withthe cylinder means 26 being operatively connected to the flattening bed21 and flattening head 23 in such manner that movement of the cylindermeans 26 toward extended position urges the flattening head away fromthe flattening bed and movement toward retracted position urges theflattening head toward the flattening bed to crush flat an automobilepositioned therebetween.

The upper surface 22 of flattening bed 21, and the undersurface 24 offlattening head 23 are generally rectangular and coextensive and areproportioned to receive an automobile therebetween, when the cylindermeans 26 is extended, and to squash and flatten the automobiletherebetween as the cylinder means 26 is retracted. The fluid actuatedcylinder means 26 here includes individual cylinders A, B, C and Doperable in unison and positioned adjacent to the corners of therectangular surfaces 22 and 24.

Preferably, the cylinders A, B, C andD are operated hydraulically, andthe cylinder means 26 also includes a hydraulic pump system 29 andassociated control means 31 (see FIG. 11) for selectively'supplyinghydraulic fluid from the pump system 29 to the cylinders A, B, C and D.Guide posts 32 and 33 are secured to the flattening bed 21, at itsopposite ends, and extend vertically upward. Corresponding guideways 34and 36 are provided on the flattening head 23 for loosely slidingmovement up and down the guide posts 32 and 33.

In accordance with the present invention, the described elements aremounted on a highway vehicle 37 to provide for movement to differentlocations. As here shown, the highway vehicle 37 is in the form of aconventional semi-trailer adapted to be pulled by a conventional highwaytractor unit (not shown), although it will be apparent that the vehicle37 could be a full trailer or self propelled.

As may be seen from the drawings, the hydraulic cylinders A, B, C and Dare mounted in upright position with their axes vertical so as toprovide evenly applied downward pressure on the flattening head 23 toforce it downwardly toward the flattening bed 21. The cylinders A, B, Cand D are also long enough to provide a stroke of sufficient length toraise the flattening head 21 far enough to permit insertion of theautomobile to be crushed. In order to speed up the operation of theapparatus, it is desirable to be able to insert and flatten a pluralityof automobiles between each unloading operation. This, of course,requires that the flattening head 23 be lifted far enough to permitinsertion of an uncrushed automobile on a stack of one or more alreadyflattened automobiles supported on the flattening bed 21. I

It has been found that flattening of three automobiles between unloadingoperations materially increases the number of automobiles which can beflattened in a given period of time. Of course, the increased height towhich the flattening head 23 must be lifted correspondingly increasesthe overall length of the cylinders A, B, C and D and their piston rods27 when the latter are fully extended.

As an important feature of the present invention, the cylinders A, B, Cand D are formed and arranged to move the flattening head 23 upwardlyduring their extension stroke and downwardly during their retractionstroke so that, when the piston rods 27 are fully retracted into theircylinders, the upper portions of the described structures will be withinFederal maximum height limitations for highway transport vehicles. Theprior flattening machines have used the extension stroke of theirhydraulic rams as a power stroke to force the flattening head downwardlyagainst the automobile being crushed. While this is in accordance withgood engineering practice, because the piston rod reduces the effectivearea of the piston during the retraction stroke, the result is to havethe piston rods fully extended when the flattening head is in itslowermost position, and this requires that the upper ends of thecylinders be supported at a height far exceeding allowable heightlimitations.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, of thedrawings, the cylinders A, B, C and D are secured to the flattening head23 and their piston rods 27 have their distal ends secured to theflattening bed 21. Hydraulic fluid under pressure is fed simultaneouslyto one end or the other of the cylinders through conduits 38 or 39 fromthe hydraulic pump system 29, as selectively determined by the controlmeans 31.

As hydraulic fluid under pressure is fed into the cylinders behind thepistons 41 to force piston rods 27 out of their cylinders, the cylindersmove upwardly, taking with them the attached flattening head 23. Ashydraulic fluid under pressure is fed into the cylinders ahead of thepistons 41, and the fluid is vented from behind pistons 41, the pistonsmove back in the cylinders and retract piston rods 27. This actionforces the cylinders and the attached flattening head 23 downwardly toaccomplish the automobile flattening action. Even though the cylindersare capable of exerting greater pressure on the extension stroke,utilization of the retraction stroke as the pressure applying stroke canbe equally powereful by making the cylinder bores large enough toprovide the necessary effective piston area. This affords the highlydesirable minimum height characteristics of the present apparatuswithout adversely affecting flattening ability.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 10 of thedrawings in which primed numbers refer to the corresponding unprimednumber in FIGS. 1 through 7, the cylinders A, B, C and D are invertedfrom the corresponding positions of cylinders A, B, C and D shown inFIGS. 1 through 7, and the cylinders are secured to the flattening bed21. The distal ends of the piston rods 27' are secured, as by brackets42 to the flattening head 23'. The function of the cylinders in thisform of the invention is similar to that described in connection withthe form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 of the drawings,that is, the flattening head 23 is forced downwardly during theretraction stroke, and minimum overall height is provided when theflattening head is in its down position.

As a feature of the present invention, both the flattening bed 21 andthe flattening head 23 are exceedingly strong and rigid, in order toresist the tremendous loads and stresses imposed when an automobile,engine and all, is flattened down to a height of approximately 12inches. In the present invention, the required strength and rigidity isprovided in a structure which is still light enough to conform tomaximum weight limitations for highway transport vehicles. Basically,both units comprise a relatively thick, flat plate which provides theflattening surface, and this plate is stiffened and reinforced by astructure of interconnected longitudinal and transverse members.

As may best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 9 of the drawings, both theflattening bed 21 and flattening head 23 are relatively thick, whenviewed from the side, and are deeper at the middle than at the ends. Theinterior of flattening bed 21 is occupied by a series of parallelgirders 63 positioned in parallel spaced relation and interconnected bya series of transverse beams 44 under the flattening plate 46. Girders43 extend between and are secured, as by welding, to plate 46 and to abottom plate 47 to define a box-like structure of relatively lightweight as compared to its great strength and rigidity.

The flattening head 23 is of somewhat similar construction, a flatteningplate 43 and a top plate 49 connected by longitudinally extendingvertical plates 51 to define a box-like structure of great strength andrigidity. Plates 51 are also connected by transverse vertical plates 52,which further reinforce flattening plate 46 against localized bending.

As here shown, the structure of flattening bed 21 is incorporated intoand forms part of the trailer 37, the trailer being provided with theusual wheels 53 and front end structure 54 adapted for connection to ahighway tractor unit. The hydraulic pump system 29 and the control means31 are conveniently carried on platforms 56 and 57, provided by thestructure at the front and rear of bed .21, and are protected fromweather and flying debris by a suitable housing 55.

In the operation of the present apparatus to crush automobiles flat,different portions of the automobile bodies tend to collapse abruptlyunder the great pressure, sometimes spraying glass and metal fragmentsor other debris. In order to confine such debris to the area of theflattening bed 21, an upstanding apron 36 is mounted along one sidethereof. As here shown, apron 58 is provided by a vertical plate 59,reinforced and held in upright position by structural members 60, andhaving spaced vertical guide plates 61 cooperative with flattening head23. The automobiles to be crushed are inserted, and the flattenedautomobiles are removed, from the side of the flattening bed 21 oppositeto the apron 5S.

Confinement of debris at the loading and unloading side of flatteningbed 21 is here provided by an apron structure 62 consisting of a flatmember 63 slidably mounted in vertical guides 6 on flattening head 23,on the side opposite to apron 56. During the automobile flatteningoperation,'member 63 hangs down from the flattening head 23 to interceptand confine debris. During loading and unloading operations, member 63is slid upwardly out of the way to the retracted position of FIG. 1 byhydraulic cylinders 66, which are supplied with hydraulic fluid underpressure by the pump system 29 under the control of means 31.

A preferred form of the hydraulic system is illustrated schematically inFIG. 11 of the drawings, wherein insofar as practicable U.S.A. StandardsInstitute Fluid Power Symbol Standards graphic symbols have beenemployed. As may there be seen, the pump system 29 preferably includes apower source such as a gasoline or diesel engine 71, driving positivedisplacement pumps 72 and 73 which supply hydraulic fluid under pressureto actuate the various hydraulic cylinders. The control means 31selectively supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure to the opposite endsof cylinders A-D, for extending or retracting the piston rods 27 to movethe flattening head 23 up and down. A reservoir 741 supplies hydraulicfluid to the pumps 72 and 73 and receives spent fluid from controlsystem 31.

As a feature of the present invention, the system operates at lowerhydraulic pressure during the major portion of the up and down movementof the flattening head 23, and at higher pressure during the finalstages of crushing. This makes possible a relatively high volume fluidsupply at the lower pressure, enabling fairly rapid movement of theflattening head, and a lesser volume supply of fluid at the higheroperating pressure to achieve maximum crushing force with the same powersource 71.

As here shown, pumps 72 and 73 are'driven simultaneously by the engine71, pump 72 having a pumping capacity of approximately 55 G.P.M. whilepump 73 has a pumping capacity of about 29 G.P.M. The discharge side of,pump 72 communicates with reservoir 74 through an unloading valve 76 setto operate at a pilot pressure of about 1,000 psi. The discharge side ofpump 73 is connected to reservoir 76 through a relief valve 77 set tooperate at a pilot pressure of approximately 2,000 psi. Hydraulic fluidunder pressure is supplied selectively to the front pair of cylinders A,B, and the rear pair of cylinders C, D, by conventional springsolenoidoperated four-way valves 73 and 79, respectively. Check valves 31 and 82are interposed in the discharge lines between pumps 72 and 73 and thefourway valves 76 and 79.

In operation, assuming the flattening head 23 is in raised position anda junked vehicle is on the flattening bed 21, valves 73 and 79 areactuated to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure from pumps 72 and 73to the upper ends of cylinders A-D, and to vent hydraulic fluid to thereservoir from the lower ends of cylinders A-D. The combined volumetricoutput of pumps 72 and 73 causes comparatively rapid downward movementof the flattening head 23 toward the top of the vehicle being crushed.As flattening head 23 contacts the vehicle and encounters increasingresistance, the pressure at the discharge outlets of pumps 72 and 73increases correspondingly.

In order to obtain a very powerful crushing action with an engine 71 ofminimum size, the pilot line 83 of unloading valve 76 communicates withthe discharge side of pump 73. Thus, when sufficient resistance todownward movement of the flattening head 23 occurs to cause backpressure at the discharge of pump 73 of approximately 1,000 psi, valve76 opens and pump 72 merely pumps back to the reservoir against noresistance. In this condition, practically all of the power of engine 71is utilized to operate pump 73, which pumps a lesser volume, butconsequently is capable of operating at higher pressure with a givenpower source. Of course, as soon as valve 76 opens, the output of thepumping system drops from 55 G.P.M. to 29 G.P.M. and the downwardprogress of flattening head 23 slows accordingly. Relief valve 77 openswhen pressure in the system exceeds about 2,000 psi, as occurs when thejunked car is crushed as flat as possible in this apparatus. Safetypressure switches 84 are here connected to lines 39 and are operative toshut off engine 71 if pressure in cylinders A-D exceeds 2,000 lbs. persquare inch.

Counterbalanced valves 86 are interposed in the lines 38 leading to theupper ends of cylinders A-D. The valves 86 perform the conventionalfunction of providing back pressure during the initial portion of thedescent of the flattening head 23 before it contacts the vehicle beingcrushed, and this back pressure prevents overrunning of the cylindersand too rapid drop of the flattening head.

The described hydraulic system is also used to actuate the door gatecylinders 64 and jacking cylinders 87 used to support the forward end 54of the trailer and permit removal of the tractor. For this purpose, aselector valve 88 is connected to the output of pump 72 and selectivelyfurnishes hydraulic fluid to control valves 89 and 91 supplying thejacking cylinders 87 to raise the trailer 21 from the tractor and levelit. In the other position of selector valve 88, the discharge of pump 73is communicated with the discharge of pump 72 for joint supplying ofhydraulic fluid to the-four-way valves 78 and 79.

In accordance with the present invention, an equalizing or levelingaction is provided to compensate for variations in the crushability ofautomobile bodies from one end to the other. Ordinarily the body andchassis portions are more easily crushed than the engine andtransmission. Since flattening pressure is being applied to theflattening head 23 at its comers, the resistance to downward movementtoward the flattening bed varies along its length, depending on the typeof automobile being crushed and its orientation in the apparatus.Accordingly, one end of head 23 may descend faster than the other end,causing an unwanted tilting effect. Such tilting is avoided in thepresent invention by provisions for inhibiting the action of thecylinders at the higher end to supply more fluid under pressure to thecylinders at the lower end, thus providing a leveling effeet.

As here shown, the described leveling is accomplished by a pair of limitswitches 101 mounted on guideways 34 and 36 in position to be contactedand activated by guideposts 32 and 33 when any longitudinal tilting offlattening head 23 occurs. The switches 101 actuate the solenoids offour-way valves 78, 79 to close the four-way valve connected to thecylinders A, B or C, D at the lower end of head 23. This immobilizesthose cylinders until the other end is pressed down far enough to levelthe head and release the limit switches 101, letting the closed four-wayvalve return to open position.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the machine for compressingand flattening junked automobiles as shown and described herein operatesrapidly and effectively to flatten junked automobiles, and provides formuch more efficient use of the apparatus by making it movable fromlocation to location over the highways without exceeding height orweight limitations and without requiring special and time-consumingoperations to prepare the apparatus for highway travel, or to prepare itfor automobile flattening when it reaches its destination.

I claim:

1. A machine for flattening junked automobiles, comprising a flatteningbed having a generally horizontal substantially flat upper surface,

a flattening head mounted for vertical movement toward and away fromsaid flattening bed and having a generally horizontal substantially flatundersurface confronting said upper surface,

fluid actuated cylinder means having extended and retracted terminalpositions, said cylinder means being operatively connected to saidflattening head and said flattening bed in such manner that movement ofsaid cylinder means toward said extended position lifts said flatteninghead away from said flattening bed and movement of said cylinder meanstoward said retracted position urges said flattening head toward saidflattening bed so as to crush flat an automobile positioned between saidflattening head and said flattening bed, and

guide means cooperative with said flattening head and said flatteningbed to maintain said flat under surface and said flat upper surface insubstantially parallel horizontal position at all locations during saidmovement of said cylinder means, said guide means comprising a pair ofupstanding guide posts supported on said vehicle at the opposite ends ofsaid flattening bed and flattening head, and

a pair of guideways attached to the opposite ends of said flatteninghead and formed for sliding movement up and down said verticalguideposts.

2. A machine as described in claim 1, and wherein said upper surface ofsaid flattening bed and said undersurface of said flattening head aregenerally rectangular and coextensive and are proportioned to receive anautomobile therebetween when said cylinder means is in extended positionand to flatten such automobile therebetween as said cylinder means movestoward said retracted position.

3. A machine as described in claim 2, and wherein said fluid actuatedcylinder means includes individual cylinders operable in unison andpositioned adjacent to the comers of said rectangular upper surface ofsaid flattening bed and said under surface of said flattening head.

4. A machine as described in claim 3, and wherein.

said cylinders are operated hydraulically and saidcylinfluid from saidhydraulic pump system to said cylinders.

5. A machine as described in claim 3, and wherein said flattening bed ismounted on'a highway vehicle with said cylinders upright, and with theuppermost portions of said flattening head and said cylinders withinFederal maximum height limitations.

6. A machine as described in claim 2, and wherein said cylinder meansincludes a cylinder secured to said flattening head, and a piston rodvertically reciprocable in said cylinder and extending downwardlytherefrom to a distal end, and means securing said distal end to saidflattening bed.

7. A machine as described in claim 2, and wherein said cylinder meansincludes individual cylinders mounted on said flattening head adjacentto the corners of said rectangular undersurface, and wherein saidcylinders have piston rods which extend downwardly from said individualcylinders and are secured at their distal ends to said flattening bedadjacent to the corresponding corners of said rectangular upper surface.

8. A machine as described in claim 7, and wherein the recited elementsare mounted on a highway trailer and are formed so that the unit is ofminimum height when said piston rods are retracted.

9. A machine as described in claim 1, and wherein said cylinder meansincludes a cylinder secured to said flattening head, and a piston rodmounted for vertical reciprocation in said cylinder extending downwardlytherefrom, and means securing saiddistal end of said piston rod to saidflattening bed.

10. A machine as described in claim 1, and wherein said cylinder meansincludes a cylinder secured to said flattening bed, and a piston rodmounted for vertical reciprocation in said cylinder and extendingupwardly therefrom, and means securing said distal end of said pistonrod to said flattening head.

11. A machine as described in claim 10, and wherein said cylinder meansincludes individual cylinders mounted on said flattening bed adjacent tothe corners of said rectangular upper surface, and wherein piston rodsextend upwardly fromsaid individual cylinders and are secured at theirdistal ends to said flattening head adjacent to the correspondingcorners of said rectangular lower surface.

12. A machine as described in claim 10, and wherein the recited elementsare mounted on a highway trailer and are formed so that the unit is ofminimum height when said piston rods are retracted.

13. A portable'machine for flattening automobile bodies, comprising awheeled highway vehicle,

a flattening bed formed with a generally rectangular and planar uppersurface mounted in substantially horizontal position on said vehicle,v

a flattening head supported in overlying alignment above said flatteningbed for vertical movement between raised and lowered positions, saidflattening head being formed with a generally rectangular and planarundersurface confronting and generally co extensive with said uppersurface of said flattening bed and movable up and down in parallelrelation thereto.

a pair of vertically upstandingguide posts supported on said vehicle atthe opposite ends of said upper and under surfaces, a

va pair of guideways attached to the opposite narrower ends of saidflattening head and formed for sliding movement up and down saidvertical guide posts,

pairs of hydraulic cylinders mounted at the narrower ends of saidflattening head on opposite sides of said guideways,

a hydraulic piston formed for reciprocating vertical movement in each ofsaid cylinders,

a piston rod extending vertically from each of said cylinders and havingone end attached to said piston in said cylinder for vertical movementtherewith and a distal end extending vertically from its cylinder, and

hydraulic means connected to said cylinders and formed for selectivelysupplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to said cylinders on oppositesides of said pistons in unison to effectuate extending and retractingstrokes of said piston rods,

said cylinders and their said piston rods being operatively connectedbetween said flattening head and said flattening bed to urge sametogether on said retracting stroke and apart on said extending strokewhereby the overall height of said cylinders and their associated pistonrods is at a minimum when said flattening head is in said loweredposition.

14. A machine as described in claim 13, and wherein said hydrauliccylinders are secured to said flattening head, and the distal ends ofsaid piston rods are secured to said flattening bed, and said hydraulicmeans is formed for selectively supplying hydraulic fluid under pressureto the upper ends of said cylinders to cause said flattening head torise, and for selectively supplying said fluid to the lower ends of saidcylinders to cause said flattening head to descend toward saidflattening bed.

15. A machine as described in claim 13, and wherein the lower ends ofsaid cylinders are secured to said vehicle, and the distal ends of saidpiston rods are secured to said flattening head, and wherein saidhydraulic means is formed for slectively supplying hydraulic fluid underpressure to the lower ends of said cylinders to cause said flatteninghead to rise and for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to theupper ends of said cylinders to cause said flattening head to descendtoward said flattening bed.

l6.A machine as described in claim 13, and wherein said hydraulic meanscomprises a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, a pump having an inletconnected to said reservoir and an outlet, first and second two-wayvalves connected to said outlet, said first two-way valve being formedand connected to opposite ends of the pair of said cylinders at one endof said flattening head, said second two-way valve being formed andconnected to opposite ends of the pair of said cylinders at the otherend of said flattening head, and solenoid means connected to said firstand second two-way valves for actu- 18. A machine as described in claim13, and wherein said flattening head is formed for effecting sliding bedformed an upsPandmg movement of said door between a downwardlydependalong one of its long sides, a flat member mounted for verticalsliding movement on said flattening head on the side opposite to saidapron, and power means on 5 ing operative position and a liftedposition.

1. A machine for flattening junked automobiles, comprising a flatteningbed having a generally horizontal substantially flat upper surface, aflattening head mounted for vertical movement toward and away from saidflattening bed and having a generally horizontal substantially flatundersurface confronting said upper surface, fluid actuated cylindermeans having extended and retracted terminal positions, said cylindermeans being operatively connected to said flattening head and saidflattening bed in such manner that movement of said cylinder meanstoward said extended position lifts said flattening head away from saidflattening bed and movement of said cylinder means toward said retractedposition urges said flattening head toward said flattening bed so as tocrush flat an automobile positioned between said flattening head andsaid flattening bed, and guide means cooperative with said flatteninghead and said flattening bed to maintain said flat under surface andsaid flat upper surface in substantially parallel horizontal position atall locations during said movement of said cylinder means, said guidemeans comprising a pair of upstanding guide posts supported on saidvehicle at the opposite ends of said flattening bed and flattening head,and a pair of guideways attached to the opposite ends of said flatteninghead and formed for sliding movement up and down Said verticalguideposts.
 2. A machine as described in claim 1, and wherein said uppersurface of said flattening bed and said undersurface of said flatteninghead are generally rectangular and coextensive and are proportioned toreceive an automobile therebetween when said cylinder means is inextended position and to flatten such automobile therebetween as saidcylinder means moves toward said retracted position.
 3. A machine asdescribed in claim 2, and wherein said fluid actuated cylinder meansincludes individual cylinders operable in unison and positioned adjacentto the corners of said rectangular upper surface of said flattening bedand said under surface of said flattening head.
 4. A machine asdescribed in claim 3, and wherein said cylinders are operatedhydraulically and said cylinder means further comprises a hydraulic pumpsystem, and control means for selectively supplying hydraulic fluid fromsaid hydraulic pump system to said cylinders.
 5. A machine as describedin claim 3, and wherein said flattening bed is mounted on a highwayvehicle with said cylinders upright, and with the uppermost portions ofsaid flattening head and said cylinders within Federal maximum heightlimitations.
 6. A machine as described in claim 2, and wherein saidcylinder means includes a cylinder secured to said flattening head, anda piston rod vertically reciprocable in said cylinder and extendingdownwardly therefrom to a distal end, and means securing said distal endto said flattening bed.
 7. A machine as described in claim 2, andwherein said cylinder means includes individual cylinders mounted onsaid flattening head adjacent to the corners of said rectangularundersurface, and wherein said cylinders have piston rods which extenddownwardly from said individual cylinders and are secured at theirdistal ends to said flattening bed adjacent to the corresponding cornersof said rectangular upper surface.
 8. A machine as described in claim 7,and wherein the recited elements are mounted on a highway trailer andare formed so that the unit is of minimum height when said piston rodsare retracted.
 9. A machine as described in claim 1, and wherein saidcylinder means includes a cylinder secured to said flattening head, anda piston rod mounted for vertical reciprocation in said cylinderextending downwardly therefrom, and means securing said distal end ofsaid piston rod to said flattening bed.
 10. A machine as described inclaim 1, and wherein said cylinder means includes a cylinder secured tosaid flattening bed, and a piston rod mounted for vertical reciprocationin said cylinder and extending upwardly therefrom, and means securingsaid distal end of said piston rod to said flattening head.
 11. Amachine as described in claim 10, and wherein said cylinder meansincludes individual cylinders mounted on said flattening bed adjacent tothe corners of said rectangular upper surface, and wherein piston rodsextend upwardly from said individual cylinders and are secured at theirdistal ends to said flattening head adjacent to the correspondingcorners of said rectangular lower surface.
 12. A machine as described inclaim 10, and wherein the recited elements are mounted on a highwaytrailer and are formed so that the unit is of minimum height when saidpiston rods are retracted.
 13. A portable machine for flatteningautomobile bodies, comprising a wheeled highway vehicle, a flatteningbed formed with a generally rectangular and planar upper surface mountedin substantially horizontal position on said vehicle, a flattening headsupported in overlying alignment above said flattening bed for verticalmovement between raised and lowered positions, said flattening headbeing formed with a generally rectangular and planar undersurfaceconfronting and generally coextensive with said upper surface of saidflattening bed and movable up and down in parallel relation thereto. apair of vertically upstanding guide posts supported on said Vehicle atthe opposite ends of said upper and under surfaces, a pair of guidewaysattached to the opposite narrower ends of said flattening head andformed for sliding movement up and down said vertical guide posts, pairsof hydraulic cylinders mounted at the narrower ends of said flatteninghead on opposite sides of said guideways, a hydraulic piston formed forreciprocating vertical movement in each of said cylinders, a piston rodextending vertically from each of said cylinders and having one endattached to said piston in said cylinder for vertical movement therewithand a distal end extending vertically from its cylinder, and hydraulicmeans connected to said cylinders and formed for selectively supplyinghydraulic fluid under pressure to said cylinders on opposite sides ofsaid pistons in unison to effectuate extending and retracting strokes ofsaid piston rods, said cylinders and their said piston rods beingoperatively connected between said flattening head and said flatteningbed to urge same together on said retracting stroke and apart on saidextending stroke whereby the overall height of said cylinders and theirassociated piston rods is at a minimum when said flattening head is insaid lowered position.
 14. A machine as described in claim 13, andwherein said hydraulic cylinders are secured to said flattening head,and the distal ends of said piston rods are secured to said flatteningbed, and said hydraulic means is formed for selectively supplyinghydraulic fluid under pressure to the upper ends of said cylinders tocause said flattening head to rise, and for selectively supplying saidfluid to the lower ends of said cylinders to cause said flattening headto descend toward said flattening bed.
 15. A machine as described inclaim 13, and wherein the lower ends of said cylinders are secured tosaid vehicle, and the distal ends of said piston rods are secured tosaid flattening head, and wherein said hydraulic means is formed forslectively supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the lower ends ofsaid cylinders to cause said flattening head to rise and for supplyinghydraulic fluid under pressure to the upper ends of said cylinders tocause said flattening head to descend toward said flattening bed.
 16. Amachine as described in claim 13, and wherein said hydraulic meanscomprises a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, a pump having an inletconnected to said reservoir and an outlet, first and second two-wayvalves connected to said outlet, said first two-way valve being formedand connected to opposite ends of the pair of said cylinders at one endof said flattening head, said second two-way valve being formed andconnected to opposite ends of the pair of said cylinders at the otherend of said flattening head, and solenoid means connected to said firstand second two-way valves for actuating same in unison.
 17. A machine asdescribed in claim 13, and wherein said flattening head and saidflattening bed each comprise a rigid hollow box structure having aflattening plate and longitudinal and transverse members backing up andreinforcing said flattening plate against bending.
 18. A machine asdescribed in claim 13, and wherein said flattening bed is formed with anupstanding apron along one of its long sides, a flat member is mountedfor vertical sliding movement on said flattening head on the sideopposite to said apron, and power means on said flattening head isformed for effecting sliding movement of said door between a downwardlydepending operative position and a lifted position.